About Us
Overview
| Name of the school | Wells International Preschool |
|---|---|
| Address | 4-3-10-1, Yuigahama, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Pref. Japan |
| Opening schedule | Pre open on Jan 2025, Open on Apr 2025 |
| Target Age Group | 3 years to 6 years old |
| Open hours | 9:00 - 17:00 (After school 14:30 - 17:00) |
| Capacity | 25 for the maximum no. of students |
| Contact | Contact form |
Background of the school
At Wells International Preschool, nestled in the culturally rich and picturesque city of Kamakura, Japan, we are committed to inspiring and empowering students for lifelong wellness. Our mission is to celebrate and nurture each child's unique identity, motivations, interests, and curiosity. We place great importance on well-being, mindfulness, openness, curiosity, and exploration.
Kamakura, our home, offers a stunning backdrop of historical shrines, temples, local cuisine, handicrafts, and natural landscapes of mountains, rivers, and beaches. We weave this vibrant local heritage into our curriculum, providing students with enriching experiences both inside and outside the classroom.
Collaboration is at the heart of Wells International Preschool. We have partnered with creative advisors from diverse fields such as art, design, cuisine, and technology to ensure our curriculum incorporates opportunities for real-world exploration and application, enhancing our educational offerings.
Our commitment to well-being is also reflected in our holistic programs, which include a nutritious lunch, yoga, and meditation. These initiatives help students develop a balanced lifestyle and a deep appreciation for holistic health.
Wells International Preschool is more than just a school; it is a community where education and well-being are seamlessly integrated, providing a foundation for a fulfilling and balanced life.
Let’s explore this interesting world!
Strength of our school
Wells International Preschool aims to provide the optimal learning environment for children and support their healthy growth.
-
Inquiry Based Learning x Reggio Emilia Approach x Wellness
We create the original curriculum based on inquiry-based learning, the Reggio Emilia approach and wellness activities to nurture children's curiosity and creativity, fostering self-directed learning.
-
1.Child-Centered Learning
Through small class sizes and group inquiry-based learning, we prioritize children's voices and provide education tailored to their interests and needs. This approach maximizes each child's potential.
-
2.Multicultural and Multilingual
Located in Kamakura, Japan, we offer an international environment where children from diverse backgrounds can learn and grow together.
-
3.Exploring the world
Through a wide range of activities and exploring including nature, colors, lights, art, music, and science, we cultivate children's creativity and expressive abilities.
-
4.Health and Wellness
We incorporate programs that promote physical and mental well-being, such as yoga, meditation, and aromatherapy, to support children’s overall happiness and health.
-
5.Community Engagement
We value strong connections with the local community and actively participate in regional events and projects, fostering children's social skills and sense of responsibility.
-
6.Educational collaborators
Our experienced and passionate educators, who come from diverse backgrounds, work closely with each child to provide high-quality education.
Philosophy
Mission
We empower lifelong wellness through exploration and celebrate each child.
We nurture curiosity, encourage mindfulness, and support self-motivated learning.
By connecting children with real-world experiences,
we create an inclusive environment that fosters growth, well-being, and community engagement.
Value
-
Wellness for All
We prioritize and cultivate the physical, mental, social, and emotional wellness of our learning community so that children, teachers, leaders, and parents may live a more balanced life.
-
Openness
We open our minds to new ideas, exploration, reflection, and change. We open our hearts to different cultures, languages, and the diversity of human life. We celebrate our unique identities, while collaborating and learning from others. We recognize that there are multiple perspectives and more than one right answer.
-
Lifelong Learning
Learning does not end after school, nor after graduation. Learning is a daily practice that begins from a sense of belonging within our homes, schools, and communities, and is further ignited through our curiosity and experiences. For young children, the essence of learning is play, social interactions with others, and lots of hands-on opportunities to explore the natural environment and the world around us. Through this kind of learning environment and school culture, we plant the seeds of lifelong learning that will ensure our students are open and excited about new possibilities and ideas over the course of their lifetimes.
Teams
-
Amanda Woods (bio)
Program AdvisorAmanda Woods is an American educator with over 15 years’ of teaching and school leadership experience in the US and Japan. Amanda has worked as a kindergarten, elementary, and middle school teacher, English Curriculum Coordinator, English and Academic Support Program Coordinator, Assistant Principal, English Curriculum Developer, and Education Consultant. She currently supports Japanese schools with English curriculum development, school leadership, and teacher professional development for both inquiry-based learning and best practices in instructed second language acquisition. Amanda holds U.S. education licenses in Elementary Education, Special Education, ESL, and as a Principal. She also holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Texas of the Permian Basin.
-
Clare Barnfather (bio)
Curriculum AdvisorClare is a bilingual educator with over seventeen years of teaching and management experience in the UK and Japan. As a remote educational consultant, she supports multiple schools by offering tailored professional development for leaders and teachers, ensuring that each school's unique needs and context are met. With expertise in the British, IB PYP, and Japanese Article One Kindergarten curriculums, Clare is passionate about picture books and storytelling, the science of pedagogy, fostering a love of learning in children, and encouraging teachers to adopt best practices, pride, and self-confidence. She is thrilled to join Wells International Preschool as their Remote Curriculum Advisor, where they aim to cultivate a vibrant community through engaging and meaningful learning opportunities.
Environment in Kamakura
Nurturing the Explorers of the Future
Across the Entire Town
The "Dream Kids Lab" is a childcare center based on the Reggio Emilia Approach, where children should learn and grow by utilizing the entire town of Kamakura. The aim is for children to develop their curiosity and creativity by interacting with nature, history, culture, and people. We believe that "children and the town becoming one" is crucial. By partnering with museums, shops, and government agencies in Kamakura, we aim to use the entire town as a field for children's exploration. The town as a whole becomes a rich learning environment, with art education at museums, social learning at the shopping district, and civic engagement at government institutions.
We also emphasize the importance of children documenting and sharing their own learning. We utilize the latest technology to visualize the learning process of children and share their progress with parents and teachers. This allows for a deeper understanding of the children's thought processes and discoveries, enabling concrete actions to support their growth. We also consider publicly sharing these learning experiences.
We will strengthen our collaboration with the local community. By forming partnerships with local stakeholders and government agencies, we will increase opportunities for children to participate as members of the local society. This will cultivate a sense of belonging to the community and an awareness of social contribution.
The "Dream Kids Lab" uses the entire town as a nurturing ground, and through the history and culture of Kamakura, aims to foster children's curiosity. By allowing children to discover their own learning and share their experiences, we aim to develop their self-awareness and community consciousness, nurturing the power to create the future society.